Traffic marker



April 21, 1953 c. K. BATTERsoN 2,635,513

TRAFFIC MARKER Filed Nov. 25, 1949 y 3*? if y Clarence A. Baite/'son l awww Patented Apr. 21, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TRAFFIC MARKER Application November 25, 1949, Serial No. 129,449

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in traiiic markers.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved traic marker of such construction that the same may be used efficiently in permanently marking lanes on streets, roads and parking areas.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved traffic marker which is of rugged,

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein examples of the invention are shown, and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a traffic marker constructed in accordance with the invention,

Fig. 2 is an underside plan view of the marker,

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view, taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2, showing the marker yembedded in bonding material and secured to pavement, and

2 traffic marker which includes a circular shell or body I I of substantially concavo-convex or dished shape. Thus, the body II has a smooth convex exterior or upper surface I2 and a smooth concave lower surface or underside I3. It is desirable for the body to be relatively fiat and this is accomplished by swinging its curved surfaces on relatively large arcs. Although the body may be formed of any suitable material, it is preferable compact construction so as to be capable of being to employ a hard, non-elastic plastic material. formed of plastic material and subjected to heavy As shown in Fig. 3, the marker is adapted to be vehicular traii'ic without danger of breakage or disposed within a circular recess I4 of slightly displacement. greater diameter formed in pavement I 5, such as A particular object of the invention is to prostreets, roads and parkingareas, which has been vide an improved traffic marker having a subillustrated as concrete. A plurality of markers stantially concavo-convex body formed with a are adapted to be placed in rows for defining peripheral lip whereby the marker may be emtraiic lanes, pedestrian crosswalks, parking lines bedded in bonding material and firmly Secured and safety Zones. The markers are used in place t0 pavement. the body having an aXal Opening of painted lines and are slightly elevated above for venting air, water and excess material upon the surface of the pavement so as to be contacted installation of said marker. by vehicles. Each recess I4 is cut or formed in An important object of the invention is to prothe pavement I5 by a suitable tool (not shown). vide an improved traflic marker, of the character An annular flange or lip I6 depends from the described, wherein the concavo-convex body is periphery of the body II in co-axial relation so formed of plastic material and is reinforced by as to extend in a plane parallel to the plane of .radial ribs or a thickened wall section so as to the axis of said body. Theflange I6 has relawithstand loads and wear imposed by contact tively little height, being slightly less than the .withheavy vehicles. depth of the recess I4, and is preferably angular A further object of the invention is to provide in cross-section so as to provide an outwardlyan improved traffic marker, of the character dedirected, radial or lateral ange or lip i1 at its scribed, having internal reinforcing ribs spaced lower margin. As shown by the numeral I8, the from the outer periphery of the body with the bottom of the iiange I6 and its lip I'l is preferably inner ends of the `ribs being spaced from one rounded or arced. Reinforcing means is made another whereby the spaces between said ribs integral with the convex underside I3 ofthe body communicate with one another and with the and has been shown in the form of spaced, radial vent opening to accommodate ow of the bonding ribs I9 (Fig. 2). The latter depend from theunmateraL derside of the body in planes parallel to the axis A construction designed to carry out the inven- 0f said body and preferably have straight lower tion will be hereinafter described together with edge portions extending normal to said axis. An other features of the invention. axial recess 20 is provided by spacing the inner ends of the ribs I9 from one another and this recess is in free communication with the spaces between said ribs. The outer ends of the ribs terminate short of the periphery of the body so as to be spaced from its flange I6 and .be disposed thereabove. Thus, the spaces between the ribs communicate with one another around the lower edge portions of said ribs as well as at the inner and outer ends thereof. An axial vent or opening 2|, of relatively small diameter, communicates with the recess 20.

After the forming of the recess I4 in the pavement l5, a suitable bonding material 22 is placed therein and the body is pressed into said material. The bonding 4material 22 is preferably in the na.-

ture of a cement and best results have been obtained when the cement is of a type which expands upon setting. A mixture of sand and cement with a suitable bonding ingredient has been found to be highly satisfactory. Suflicient bonding material is placed in the pavement recess to ll said recess as well as the concavity of the body. Thus, the ribs I5 as Well as the peripheral flange of the body are embedded in the material which fills the spaces between said ribs and the recess 20. Any excess bonding material or extraneous matter, such as air or water, is vented through the opening 2 I. Therefore, the provision of this vent opening assures the setting and hardening of the bonding material.

Since the pavement recess is of a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the marker, the bonding material flows around the periphery of said marker and overlies the radial lip H so as to positively secure the marker to the pavement. The .depending ribs increase the `suriicial contact or engagement .of the marker and bonding material. It is .noted that the height ofthe peripheral flange is suchthat substantially .all vof said ange is embedded in the .bonding material and its upper edge portion is substantially vflush with the surface of the pavement. Thus, only 'the 4convex lupper .surface of the marker is exposed.

The `form of the invention described hereinbefore, is particularly adapted for use with concrete pavement. In asphalt and similar pavements which `are yieldable, it has been found necessary to strengthen `the marker because such pavements give under heavy traflic and there is nothing to support said marker. Instead of increasing the height -and length Aof the ribs and connecting their inner ends, it is preferable to make said .ribs integral .so as to preserve the .axial recess and vent .opening rof the marker.

In Fig. 4, a marker v23 of such modified construction is shown mounted in a recess 24 formed in asphalt or similar pavement 25. The marker 23 includes a .circular body 26., similar to the body il, .having a convex top or upper surface 2l, a concave lower .surface or underside 28, a depending, 'peripheral ange 29 and an outwardly directed, radial lip 3B. As shown by the numeral 3l, :the lower edge Vportion .of .the iiange and its lip is 'bevelied .or rounded. An axial vent or opening 32 .is formed in the body and communicates with an alined, underlying recess 33 of greater diameter. The `latter formed by the reinforcing moans or .one-piece -rib 34 which is prnvidec'i by increasing the thickness .of the body between its convex and .concave surfaces. A bonding material .35, in the nature of a mastic, is femployedfor embedding and securing the marker in the pavement recess 24. This type of bonding 'material has an -aninity for the material Aof the pavement and adheres to the marker so as to prevent displacement thereof. It is noted that the modied marker -occupies the same position relative to the surface of the pavement and has its .peripheral flange 2-9 .completely embedded in the bonding Amaterial whereby the latter overlies the radial lip 30. The concav-ity'of the Imarker and its recess 33 is completely -iilled 4with the vbonding material and any excess material or extraneous matter may escape through the vent opening 32, said recess directing such material or matter to said opening.

`The foregoing description of the invention is explanatory thereof and various changes in the size, shape and'materials, aswell as in the details o! the ilustrated construction may be "made,

within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A trafnc marker including, a substantially concavo-convex relatively iiat body of plastic material disposed in a recess in pavement, bonding material filling the recess and the concavity of the body to bond said body to the pavement, said body having a central vent to permit the escape of excess material and extraneous matter, and spaced radial ribs on the concave underside of said body spaced above and from the lower margin of said body and from the vent, whereby the spaces between the ribs have their inner and outer ends in communication, the spacing of said ribs from said vent providing a central recess establishing communication between said vent andthe inner ends of vsaid rib spaces, whereby flow of the bonding material toward the recess and vent is permitted during installation .of the marker.

2. A traic marker including, a circular relatively flat body of plastic material disposed in a recess in pavement and having a convex top and a concave underside, a circula-r marginal flange depending from the outer portion of the top having an outwardly directed annular lip at its bottom, bonding material filling the body and .covering the flange and lip in the pavement recess for securing the body in place, said body having a central opening for venting excess material and extraneous matter during installation of said marker, and spaced reinforcing ribs radiating from the central opening on the underside of said body and integral therewith having their outer ends spaced from the flange and their inner ends spaced from said opening to provide a central recess around said opening, whereby the ribs provide channels extending inwardly and opening into said central recess.

l3. A traffic marker including, a circular relatively flat body disposed in a recess in pavement and having a concavity in its underside, ,bonding material lling the recess and the concavity .of the body nto bond said body to the pavement, said .body having a central opening for venting .excess material and extraneous matter, and spaced reinforcing ribs Von the underside of said body in vits concavity and radiating from the opening, the ribs having their inner ends spaced .from said `opening and their Vouter ends spaced from the periphery of said Vbody whereby the spaces rbetween said ribs are in communication with each other and with said opening.

OTHER REFERENCES The American City, April 1950, Page 179. 

